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Banana tree (Musa) is an evergreen suckering perennial with palm-like leaves growing mainly in tropical regions. Fruit set requires 10 to 15 months of frost-free weather conditions. One variety, Japanese banana (Musa japonica), which is grown for decorative purposes only as the fruit is unpalatable, grows in United States Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 to 10. Red banana plants (Musa coccinea) reach a height of only 5 feet tall, making them suitable as container plants. Subject to few insect problems in the continental United States, banana trees attract certain insects in other locations and when they are brought indoors as potted plants.

Culture

The first line of defense against insect problems for bananas is to provide the plants with optimum growing conditions. Healthy plants are better able to resist insect pests. Bananas grow best in a location sheltered from wind and salt spray. Locations near asphalt or concrete are beneficial due to the increase in temperature as heat radiates from the hardscaping materials. Fertile, well-drained soil and monthly fertilization during the growing season helps banana trees thrive. Heavy feeders, banana trees can use 1 1/2 to 2 pounds of 8:10:8 NPK fertilizer monthly for each mature plant, with fertilizer spread 4 to 8 feet from the main stem of the plant. Young plants need only one-fourth or one-third as much fertilizer as a mature plant, and houseplants require only half the rate as garden-grown plants.

Inspection and Prevention

Frequent inspection of banana trees, at least once every two weeks, makes it possible to stop insect infestations before they do significant damage. Undersides of leaves are especially vulnerable to insect infestations. Inspection of potential insect host plants in nearby areas also is important to prevent the spread of harmful insects to banana plants. Many insects, such as aphids, are especially attracted to young, succulent growth, such as water sprouts, which should be removed to decrease the likelihood of aphid attack. Keeping the area around banana trees free of debris, and decaying leaves and flowers also helps control detrimental insect populations.

Insect Identification

Many types of thrips, weevils and moths pose some threat to banana trees in certain parts of the world, including Hawaii. Telltale signs of thrip infestation are V-shaped dark marks on leaf petioles or water-soaked spots on fruit skin, made by the insects' piercing and sucking mouthparts. Poor plant growth and health indicates weevil infestation, as weevils bore into rhizomes, reducing the plant's ability to take in moisture and nutrients. Moths lay eggs on debris and decaying tissue where larvae feed. For the home grower, however, spider mites (Tetranychus urticae Koch) and banana aphids (Pentalosa nigronervosa) are the most likely banana tree insect pests. Spider mites can become a problem with container-grown banana trees when brought indoors. The first sign of spider mite infestation is mite webbing on the undersides of leaves. Banana aphid causes the most harm to banana trees through the spread of Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV).

Insect Control

Encouragement of natural predators, such as ladybugs and lacewings, helps control insects. Approved chemical sprays or insecticidal soaps, used according to manufacturer's recommendations, can help eliminate or reduce insect populations. Insecticidal soaps, unlike chemical sprays, do not harm beneficial insects, such as ladybugs, lacewings and pollinating bees. Bags made of jute, sissal, drill cloth, burlap, canvas or polyethylene are placed over banana stalks during their development to deter many insect pests. Where insect control is especially difficult, insecticide-impregnated plastic bags are used.

About the Author

For Judy Kilpatrick, gardening is the best mental health therapy of all. Combining her interests in both of these fields, Kilpatrick is a professional flower grower and a practicing, licensed mental health therapist. A graduate of East Carolina University, Kilpatrick writes for national and regional publications.